Agios Riginos (Saint Riginos) is the patron saint of Skopelos Island. The monastery of Agios Riginos is built right where the locals buried the saint. It is a beautiful monastery which was originally built in 1728 but was rebuilt in 1960. The celebration of the patron saint of Skopelos brings visitors from all the surrounding islands as well as from the mainland of Greece. It is a huge celebration that takes place on the 25th of February with great deeds of worship and a grand procession of the saint’s relic through the streets of Skopelos.

Agios Riginos was born in Leivadia, Greece during the 4^th century A.D. He was sent to the island of Skopelos by his uncle in order to strengthen with his great belief in God the people who were exiled there. Agios Riginos strongly opposed all sects that were against the Orthodox belief. He stated his thoughts in public without hesitation and fear. So during the reign of the emperor of Constantinople, Julius Paravatis (361-363 A.D) he was prosecuted. The governor of Greece went to the island of Skopelos and immediately ordered the saint to renounce his religion. Agios Riginos stood strong by his beliefs and did not do what he was told. On the 25^th of February 362 A.D. the saint was shown to the island’s stadium and was tortured and finally decapitated. He was buried that night by Christians of the island in the forest on the hill where his grave remains until today.

Directions: Driving on the main road to leave the town of Skopelos you will see a gas station. 500 metres after that you take a sharp uphill right turn. Another 500 meters after that you are at the church.